Dealing with Sarcopenia as You Age

Sarcopenia is a condition that affects many people as they age. It can cause a loss of muscle mass and strength, making everyday activities more difficult to manage. This article will discuss what sarcopenia is, the symptoms associated with it and how you can deal with it. The article also shares some helpful tips on how to maintain your muscle mass as you get older.

Sarcopenia is the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength. It can happen to anyone, but it is more common among older adults. Muscles play a vital role in maintaining muscle action, managing everyday activities and living a healthy lifestyle. This health condition can make everyday activities more difficult to manage. As one ages, one starts losing their muscle mass by 3% to 5% every decade throughout their lifetime. Men are likely to lose 30% of their muscle mass as they age.

Causes of Sarcopenia

There are many reasons why sarcopenia takes place among human beings. As people age, their bodies produce less testosterone, human growth hormone (HGH) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). These hormones are important for muscle growth. In addition, the aging process causes changes in nerve cells and muscles that can lead to this health disorder.

The disease can also be caused by lifestyle choices, such as a lack of physical activity or a poor diet. Besides, physically inactive people tend to lose their muscle mass faster than the rest. It is important to note that there is no particular muscle mass level that can treat the disorder and any loss of muscle is something to take seriously since it leads to loss of strength as well as mobility.

Symptoms of Sarcopenia

The symptoms of sarcopenia can vary from person to person. Some people may not have any symptoms at all. Others may experience a gradual loss of muscle mass and strength. This can make everyday activities, such as walking or climbing stairs, more difficult to manage. It can also cause fatigue and a decrease in activity levels.

How to Prevent It

If you think you may be experiencing sarcopenia, it is important to talk to your doctor. They will be able to diagnose it and offer treatment options. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to dealing with this disorder. However, there are some things that can help. Exercise is one of the best things you can do to prevent this health disorder. Exercise helps maintain muscle mass and strength. It is important to find an exercise routine that works for you and stick with it.

A healthy diet is also important. Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of protein can help slow the progression of muscle loss. If you are struggling to get enough protein in your diet, you may want to talk to your doctor about supplements. This complication is a condition that can be difficult to manage. However, with the right approach, it is possible to slow the progression of the health disorder and maintain your muscle mass.

Protein plays a vital role in dealing with sarcopenia. Protein is an important nutrient for preventing it since it helps build and maintain muscle mass. The recommended protein for the body is around 0.32 grams per pound of the human body weight. For instance, an individual weighing 150 pounds needs approximately 54 grams of protein daily. You can get protein from food sources, such as meat, poultry, fish, beans and tofu. You can also take protein supplements. If you are taking protein supplements, it is important to talk to your doctor first.

Treating the Condition

Unfortunately, there are no reliable and effective means of diagnosing sarcopenia, and nutritional intervention and exercise are the cornerstones of treating muscle mass loss problems. Scientists performing past studies seeking treatment solutions have been frustrated by a series of failed clinical trials when pharmacists’ researchers tried to find the most effective drug for this health complication. Therefore, people have no choice but to observe and rely on nutrition intervention and try as much as possible to avoid malnutrition or deficiency of vital nutrients in the body. Malnutrition is one of the key drivers of the complication and should be avoided at all costs, especially for those over 50 years old.